VET News

Tripartism Paving the Way for Jobs, Skills, Education and Training.

Secretary Natalie James gave a speech at the AiGroups recent Policy Influence Reform (PIR) highlighting the positive impacts on tripartism on workplace relations.  Read what she had to say:

The framework for engagement on the current reforms that the Government is working on is based on longstanding practices but also tailored to fit our circumstances.

There are tripartite structures set down in legislation that recognise the roles and interests of government, business and workers in the workplace relations system.

The National Workplace Relations Consultative Council or NWRCC, chaired by the Minister for Workplace Relations and comprising business and union representatives is the formal tripartite forum that inform workplace relations and health and safety reform.

Its enabling legislation is dated 2002, but I’m reliably informed similar structures have operated since 1977, which means formal tripartism has been part of the landscape almost as long as I’ve been on the planet. Ai Group is a longstanding and constructive member of this forum.

Tripartism and supporting social dialogue is a priority of this Government. Tripartism is cool again. Tripartism is not only a priority in the portfolios I’m responsible for as Secretary - workplace relations, skills and employment. Engagement with experts and those people impacted by reforms is a priority for the government across the board – covering a wide range of social and economic policy.

Let’s take a look at what we’ve seen so far during this government’s tenure:

• Jobs and Skills Summit
• Productivity, Education and Training
• National Construction Industry Forum
• Net Zero needs
• Jobs and Skills Australia

So why is this approach and these examples important?

Foremost, it demonstrates that the government wants to hear from those impacted by its initiatives in the design and delivery of government policy and programs. The government’s commitment to tripartism reflects its broader desire to genuinely engage with partners and those impacted in policy reform.

Read more from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations here.

Date posted Aug 10, 2023